November 16, 2009

Balance & Perspective

If there are two words that much of life hinges on, they are balance and perspective. Left to myself I get out of balance. I lean toward working too much, trying to accomplish too much, trying to go too fast, and seeking to meet far too many needs. Part of it is a genuine desire to serve and love God; and part of it is the warped psyche that I still possess in my flesh that compels me to please people and seek my worth and value through my performance.

One of my favorite people, Dr. Howard Hendricks (a professor and longtime mentor) once told me — “The only time we are more in balance is when the pendulum of our life is swinging from one extreme to another.” Maturity is learning by God’s grace over time to reduce how far we swing to the right and to the left of the balanced life God desires for us.

Let’s also be careful to think realistically and not idealistically about the whole issue of balance. There are certain times that emergencies and major projects require intense hours of focus and work. There are also times where we need extended periods of rest and refreshment to restore our body, mind and emotions. So when I think of balance, I am referring primarily to the major trends and patterns in our lives, not some idealistic — “never had a stressful day” type of balance.

At the heart of balance, I believe, is a quiet center where your soul is at peace and rest in your relationship with Jesus. Circumstances and relationships will change by the hour and bring alternating excitement and joy along with disappointment and despair. We can choose to allow the external issues of our lives to define us; or we can choose by faith to allow our relationship with a good and sovereign God to define how we will perceive and receive the circumstances and relational issues that come our way daily.

Although walking with God is far more than having a quiet time each morning; I do find that those who learn to start the day spending quality time with God eliminate much of the rush and the stress that comes their way. When I worship God and spend time in His Word I am reminded afresh that the world does not revolve around me. Circumstances and relational trauma affect me the most when I unconsciously perceive that I am the center of the world and what happens to me is all that really matters. I hate to admit that happens, but I would be lying if I told you it didn’t. Yet reading a chapter in Psalm 40 or Isaiah 40 and quietly reflecting on God’s infiniteness and my finiteness brings a sense of peace to my heart.

Recently I received a card in the mail that helped me regain my balance and perspective: read this over slowly and see if it might be a help to you.

You are in God’s place,

at God’s perfect time.

Your days are in His hands,

and He is your future.

He has gifted you and placed His hand upon you

to bless you and to make you a blessing.

The burden of your life/ministry

is not yours to carry –

as you rest, people work;

as you abide,

He will bring fruit;

as you sow, He will do the increase.

He is your shield and

your exceeding great reward.

Poem by Roy Lessin

Hope this helps you as much as it did me – Keep pressin’ ahead,